Recipe – Quick Date and Tamarind Chutney

Along with compressed cakes of dried tamarind pods, most Indian grocery stores sell what is often referred to as “instant tamarind”, this tamarind purée concentrate is what we are using in this recipe for the sake of speed. This fruit sweetened chutney is delicious with aloo tikki, samosas or kachoris, the tangy taste of the tamarind contrasts beautifully with any savoury.

If stored covered in a non metal container, this chutney will last about 3 days in the fridge.

Ingredients:

• 95 grs dates
• 160 ml water
• 1-2 hot green chilies
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh coriander leaves
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
• 80 ml tamarind, concentrated
• 1/4 teaspoon chaat masala or black salt
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

The Magic:

Combine water and dates in a small pan and bring to a quick boil.

Remove pan from heat and allow to cool.

Put water and dates plus all the other ingredients into a food processor or power-blender and combine until you have a smooth paste.

Leave to cool in the fridge for a couple of hours before serving.